Hardy Boys Fan Fiction at the Hardy Detective Agency - Presenting "South American Search & Rescue" by CQB

The new ‘recruits’ collected in the streets of Di Heer were led before Mafesto Santiago. Joe Hardy tried to conceal his shock as he gazed at the general. ‘He’s not much older than Frank!’ Joe realized.

Jason Hladley looked Joe Hardy eye-to-eye. If the younger Hardy brother recognized him, he wasn’t showing it. Jason tried to inconspicuously smile at Joe, hopefully conveying a message of friendship.

Joe Hardy had instantly recognized Jason Hladley, as the blond, blue-eyed Senator’s son kept his weapon trained on Joe’s chest. Joe noted Jason brief smile, but couldn’t read it. ‘Does he know me?’ Joe wondered, ‘and if he does, is that a good thing?’

"Welcome! Wel..." General Santiago began, but was interrupted by the sudden movement of a sandy haired, blue-eyed boy, standing in the center of the line up. The youth, dressed in blue jeans and a pale, yellow t-shirt, took a tentative step toward Santiago.

"You can’t keep me here!" the youth demanded. Joe guessed the boy was from Australia or New Zealand by his accent. "Let me go now!’

"What is your name!" Santiago demanded, glaring at the boy.

"J-Jake Cotter," the young man replied. "I’m a citizen of New Zealand! You have no right to keep me here!" The boy suddenly lunged forward, reaching for the militia leader.

Joe, standing at the far right of the line up, instinctively dove forward, catching the New Zealander behind the knees and bringing him down in a perfect tackle. Joe pushed himself up off the boy, but froze as all four of Santiago’s soldiers had closed in, training their M-16’s on Joe and Jake.

* * *

Conner Bailey kept the pick-up far behind the big canvas covered truck that was carrying Joe Hardy and four other recruits into General Mafesto Santiago’s compound.

Frank Hardy had carefully explained their plan to Conner and Sam Radley as the drove. The first step was for Joe to be recruited. He was using his mother’s maiden name, Daniels, as a cover. Joe was playing the role of a wealthy, American teenager infatuated with Santiago and his "cause". Frank had carefully coached Joe in just what those "causes" were. By assuming a role of someone who wants to be with Santiago’s militia, the boys hoped Joe would gain the general’s respect and trust. That would give Joe the freedom to move about the compound and locate their father, Jack Wayne and Jason Hladley. Once Joe had a grasp on the situation inside, he would find the best route to bring Frank inside as well. Frank was to wait out-of-sight, but as close to the entrance as possible, leaving Joe with the opportunity to communicate with Frank. Both boys were carrying small mirrors that they could use to send an S.O.S. or other vital information, via Morse code.

"Once I’m... ah, we’re inside," Frank continued, "we set up a diversion and get the prisoners out."

Conner had to admit, though crude as it was, the plan had working possibilities. Having someone inside to scope out the territory was a definite plus, but he had serious doubts about trusting that job to 17-year-old Joe Hardy.

* * *

Jack Wayne caught sight of something falling onto the dirt floor of their cell through the slat in the door.

"Hey, Mr. H," Jack whispered, gaining Fenton Hardy’s attention, "We’ve got mail!" Jack pointed his tan finger to the ‘package’ just inside the door.

Mr. Hardy’s handsome face scowled. He moved to pick up the object, carefully unwrapping it. The outside wrapping was a second note from Jason Hladley. Inside the note was an old, rusty key.

Fenton moved to the cot where Jack was seated so that Jack could see the note as Fenton read it, softly out loud.

‘This is the key to your cell. I figure my dad sent you to find me. I don’t know what went wrong with your plan, but I hope you can use this to get out and rescue me from this nightmare. I will be on patrol tomorrow night. It might be our best chance of escape. Jason’

Mr. Hardy silently took his ballpoint pen from his pocket. He quickly dug up a hole in the dirt under his cot. He placed the two notes from Jason and the key in the hole, covering it thoroughly.

"Well, Jack," Mr. Hardy stated with a grin, "We might get out of this mess alive yet!"

* * *

"Bring them both before me now!" General Mafesto Santiago demanded. Joe Hardy and Jake Cotter were pulled to their feet and brought before Santiago with machine guns prodding their backs.

Santiago looked intently at Joe. "What is your name?"

"Joe Daniels," the younger Hardy replied, "I couldn’t let him hurt you. You’re our salvation." Joe used the rehearsed lines he and Frank had practiced.

"You are a loyalist to our cause, Mr. Daniels?" Santiago questioned.

"Yes, Sir," Joe lied. Santiago’s smile grew. He looked at Jason Hladley.

"Give Mr. Daniels your weapon," Santiago ordered. Jason silently complied, putting his M-16 into Joe Hardy’s hands.

"Now Mr. Daniels," Santiago grinned, "Prove your loyalty to me. Kill the fool who attempted to harm me!"

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Disclaimer

The Hardy Boys belong to Simon and Schuster and the Stratemeyer Foundation. The authors have just borrowed them for an adventure or two. The authors promise to put the boys back when they are done with them. The authors do claim copyright to the original characters in this story. Please do not borrow original characters without express permission of the authors.